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Golf Vancouver Island’s Awesome 18

By Andrew Penner

What makes a great golf course great? Naturally, given the eclectic tastes that are represented in the golf community, the answers vary. Fine scenery. Outstanding conditioning. Superb service. Exciting design. Rich history. Value pricing. All perfectly fine answers. Naturally, though, one answer should be on top of the list. Great holes. And, if your destination is Vancouver Island, you won’t run short on these.

Indeed, for a course to truly be considered great, it MUST possess a number of holes that can rightfully be considered “spectacular.” Spectacular in design. Spectacular in playability. Spectacular in challenge. Spectacular in, well, every which way possible.

Not surprisingly, on Vancouver Island, given the rugged beauty of North America’s number one island destination for six years running, there are plenty of “spectacular” holes. Holes that will take your breath away. Holes that will get your spine tingling and your jaw dropping.

Yes, opinions may vary, depending on skill levels, tastes, and so on, as to which holes rise to the top. For some, a tiny tucked-in-the-trees par-3 will always triumph over a broad, wind-swept par-5. Others might be partial to long, nasty par-4s that are capable of bringing the best players in the world to their knobby knees. But, whatever melts your butter, there can be no denying that the following holes are some of the best you’ll ever see. Here then, is our list of the top 18 holes on Vancouver Island. (And, for everyone smitten with the idea of “rankings,” this is in no particular order!)

1. Bear Mountain #13, 488 yards, par 4This colossal cruiser epitomizes the tough, demanding nature of this spectacular Nicklaus layout. Sure, the downhill 5th might be a tad more scenic, but this waterside beauty, which screams “power fade” off the tee, is more unique. A rock wall, an aiming bunker, leaning firs, a lake, a wildly contoured green…come on, what more could you want?

2. Victoria Golf Club #7, 369 yards, par 4Skirting the water-worn rocks along the Strait of Juan de Fuca, the 369-yard par-4 7th, which is named “Mount Baker” in honour of the impressive backdrop, at the famed Victoria Golf Club is simply sublime. Gorgeous, graceful, and potentially lethal, the 7th is capped with a vicious green that Ben Hogan called one of the most difficult he had ever encountered.

3. Morningstar #7, 464 yards, par 4Throughout the 1990s this long, nasty par-4 left numerous Canadian Tour Players beat up and licking their wounds on their quest to secure a playing card. Fair to say that many of them are, at this very moment, delivering pizzas and working the till at “Sev” thanks to this beast. At 464 yards from the tips, it’s got plenty of length. But the trio of bunkers on the left and dense woods on the right is what really knots the knickers. Hit a couple shots on the screws – or a job flippin’ burgers might be in the cards.

4. Storey Creek #16, 408 yards, par 4Storey Creek, with its appealing away-from-it-all aura, has many holes that belong on the highlight reel. But perhaps no hole better sums up Storey Creek’s many charms than the 16th. Isolated, tree-lined, and extremely ticklish, this downhill 408-yarder, which features a ball-devouring creek protecting the front of the green, is always a treat to play.

5. Storey Creek #17, 183 yards, par 3Towering fir trees that hang over the green and an intimidating rock wall defending the front and right side of the green give this hole a powerful sense of place. Beautiful, serene, and, ultimately, dangerous, the amphitheatre-like setting at this sweet, 183-yard par-3 makes it the truly great hole that it is. Just hit it on and enjoy the pretty little walk to the green. Their slogan, “A Course in Nature,” is certainly a fitting expression here.

6. Olympic View #17, 417 yards, par 4Famous for the majestic 60-foot waterfall that cascades behind the green, the 17th at Olympic View is more than just a picture-perfect postcard hole. This 400-plus yarder requires a couple of fearless shots to set up a run at birdie. And when that’s accomplished, the final gaze at the tumbling water and Japanese Garden is that much sweeter.

7. Royal Colwood #16, 385 yards, par 4Dubbed “Cathedral,” the par-4 16th at Royal Colwood is a one-of-a-kind hole, something that could not be replicated just anywhere. Massive – and I mean massive –heritage fir trees line a lush but rather claustrophobic playing channel. This is the epitome of “tree-lined.” But, trust me, claustrophobia will never feel so good. What an amazing hole.

8. Victoria Golf Club #5, 324 yards, par 4Dubbed “The Bay,” you’ll have to go a long way to find a par-4 as fun as this one. In fact, this little charmer is undoubtedly one of the greatest short par-4s in North America. The tee shot MUST soar over the bay to set up the dicey approach to the severely sloping perched green. Go for the green off the tee? Only if you’re John Daly on steroids. Regardless of the outcome, a very special hole and one you could never, in a million years, tire of playing.

9. Royal Colwood #11, 236 yards, par 3A long, demanding par-3 with a green framed with bunkers and sitting snug in a cauldron of flowers and giant fir trees, the 11th at Colwood is a 93-year-old relic that has brilliantly stood the test of time. When A.V. Macan designed it in 1913 it must have been brutal. Now, even with today’s equipment, it’s just really, really tough. The ideal tee shot is a strong draw that skirts the guarding bunkers and one-hops near the stick. But, at 236 yards from the back tee, good luck. Easily one of the best long par-3s in Canada.

10. Bear Mountain #11, 152 yards, par 3This awesome replica of the famous island-green 17th at the TPC Sawgrass is Nicklaus’ tribute to the diabolical Dye. Pete, that is. Although this is the biggest green on the course, your numb-fingered clunker off the hosel just ain’t gonna cut it here. Fish out another ball and try again. Only your best will do.

11. Bear Mountain #19, 141 yards, par 3This has to be one of the best holes in the world not on an official scorecard. Hanging on a rocky finger of land between the 14th and 15th holes at Bear Mountain, this “extra” hole, “gambling” hole, “tie-breaker” hole, or whatever you want to call it, has the most precarious setting for a hole on the Island. Only a hardened fool would trudge straight to the 15th tee and miss out on the fun.

12. Arbutus Ridge #17, 214 yards, par 3At 214 yards from the back tee, this water-laced terror is about as mean a hole as you’ll find on the island. Pop it up…you’re wet. Hit it thin…you’re wet. Pull it…you’re wetter. Slice it…well, we don’t want to go there. Our advice: close your eyes, say a prayer, and hit a good one.

13. Pheasant Glen #17, 427 yards, par 4Rising star Pheasant Glen is, to those who play it for the first time, a very “pheasant” surprise. Lame jokes aside (and that was definitely lame), the new holes that comprise the finishing run (par 5, par 4, par 5) make for a memorable dash to the inviting clubhouse that’s perched on the hill. The 17th, a 427-yard man-maker, has it all. A bold tee shot challenges the bunkers on the right and sets up a tough approach to a peninsula green. If you miss, miss short. There’s certainly nothing “lame” about this hole.

14. Morningstar #9, 538 yards, par 5Before playing the 9th at Morningstar – a long, sweeping, par-5 with trouble everywhere – you’ve got to take a look at what’s overhead. Suspended on spindly branches one hundred feet directly above the tee is an eagle’s nest. If you’re lucky, you’ll catch a glimpse of mom watching out for the little ones. (Unless you want to get your eyes pecked out, don’t try climbing the tree.) But this hole is anything but “little.” A 538-yard double-dogleg peppered with water hazards – and complete with a crazy go-for-broke option from the tee – the 9th is about as memorable as holes get.

15. Cordova Bay #17, 183 yards, par 3Don’t let all that wet stuff in front of the green play with your mind. Just pure that mid-iron into the soft, velvety green, sink the putt, and chalk down your deuce. Easier said than done on this, one of the most intimidating holes you’ll play on the island. On busy days over 100 balls will go “sploosh” in the giant lake fronting the green. If you’ve never played a shot with your knees knocking, just go straight to the 18th tee.

16. Gorge Vale #8, 601 yards, par 5At 601 yards from the back tee (an extra yard for good luck?), the par-5 8th at Gorge Vale is certainly a three-shotter for mortals. However, in summer big hitters can smash one down the hill and potentially get to the green in two. However, an attempt that’s mis-hit can catch the lake short of the green. As pretty as it is intimidating, this par-5 on the popular Gorge Vale layout is definitely one for the postcard.

17. Duncan Meadows #17, 491 yards, par 5The 491-yard 17th at Duncan Meadows has ruined many a scorecard. In order to get through it unscathed, all you have to do is avoid the devilish creek and daunting forest off the tee, catch your lay-up on the bolts, hit a laser-straight short-iron into the green, and stroke a couple of nimble-fingered putts. No biggie.

18. Crown Isle #18, 423 yards, par 4Crown Isle’s stellar route concludes with a big, mean, dogleg left par-4 that can break your heart with one shaky swat. The courageous will try and blast one over the bunkers on the left to set up a short-iron approach. The meek and mannerly will play safe to the wider right side. If you take an extra club on the approach you’ve got a chance to get it back to the hole on the massive, undulating green. Par makes the pint on the patio taste awfully good.

Andrew Penner is a freelance writer based in Calgary, Alberta.

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